EVENT NAME: 2026 GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser
DATE: Saturday, June 27, 2026
TIME: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
LOCATION: Gardena Valley JCI, 1964 W. 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247
NOTE: This event is cashless. Presale coupons (PSC), credit & debit cards, and scrip accepted.
The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) Matsuri Fundraiser is a South Bay tradition enjoyed by many generations of local residents. In this event, the GVJCI’s member organizations and supporters gather to volunteer, enjoy food, entertainment, games, and community, and raise funds to support the GVJCI.
Food & Game Booths – Community organizations and classes that are housed at the GVJCI lend their volunteer support to run all booths, including fun games such as Bingo, or ever-popular Pitch ‘Til U Win, or cooking/selling tasty food like Chicken Teriyaki, GVJCI Hot Dogs, Chili Dogs, Spam Musubi, famous Shaved Ice and Okinawa Andagi and more!
Performances – This program showcases many classes and programs at GVJCI’s facility, such as Taiko, Hula, Singing, and Line dancing. Visitors will be encouraged to join them at their weekly classes and perform next year.
Martial Arts Demonstrations – The GVJCI’s Martial Arts classes will be featured: Naginata (pole weapon with single blade), Gardena Judo Club, Kendo, Aikido, and Kyudo Renmei (Japanese Archery).
Outdoor Plant Sale–This is one of most popular booths year after year. Supporting nurseries and gracious community plant enthusiasts donate beautiful plants from their businesses and backyards.
Holding Station – Are your hands full of food items, white elephant treasures, and crafts…and you want to purchase a drink? Please take all of your belongings to holding station. Now you can roam Matsuri “hands-free. Then, drive your car by the loading zone and pick up your goodies.
Bingo – Try your luck at Bingo! Games begin at 4 pm with chances to win cash & prizes.
Beer Garden – From opening to closing, take a break and come to Beer Garden. Grab a beer, relax, and catch up with friends.
The Bridge: GVJCI Heritage Center – Visit Japanese Cultural Heritage Library and educational Tokonoma Display. For inquire about GVJCI’s Japanese Language School, pay a visit and receive the information you need to enroll in the upcoming fall session.
Pre-sale Coupons (PSC) for the GVJCI Matsuri Fundraiser: These coupon books are only sold prior to the Matsuri. Each book contains (10) ten $2.00 coupons that can be used as scrip at all Matsuri booths plus bonus hourly raffle drawing entries.
Beginning in April, GVJCI Member Organizations will be selling these coupon books. You can also purchase them at the GVJCI Office before the Matsuri until sold out.
The Matsuri event is cashless. Credit & Debit cards, Pre Sale Coupons, and Scrip are accepted.
The bonus Hourly Raffle ticket adds value to each Pre-Sale Coupon (PSC)! Please return your completed raffle tickets to the GVJCI Office before June 27 or by 12:00 pm, June 27th, at the GVJCI Matsuri’s Raffle booth for your chance to win prizes during our Matsuri.
Mega Matsuri Drawing – You can also purchase special tickets for the Mega Matsuri Drawing at the Matsuri Raffle Booth. The drawing for this special raffle will be held on Saturday, near closing. Winner need not be present to win.
ENTERTAINMENT
Outdoor Entertainment
10:00 – 10:20am Yuujou Daiko
10:25 – 10:45 am Na Pua O Kapo
10:50 am – 11:40 am TNK Hula Performance (Harriet Nagata & TNK Hula Class)
11:15 am – 11:25 am 2026 GVJCI Scholarship Presentation
11:30 am – 11:40 am Corporate Sponsor Recognition
11.45 am – 11:50 am Al Muratsuchi, CA Assemblymember
11:55 am – 12:00 pm Tasha Cerda, Gardena Mayor
12:05 pm – 12:25 pm TNK Line Dance Performance (Chris Mori & TNK Line Dance Class)
12:30 pm – 12:50 pm LA Men’s Glee Club
12:55 pm – 1:15 pm South Bay Singers
1:20 pm – 1:40 pm Flash Dance Ondo
1:45 pm – 2:05 pm Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko LA Branch
4:00 pm – 6:30 pm BINGO
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm Mega Matsuri Raffle Drawing
Martial Arts – Inside GVJCI Hall (basement level)
2:10pm – 2:30pm Aikido
2:35 pm – 2:55 pm Southern California Kyudo Renmei
3:00 pm – 3:20 pm Southern California Naginata Federation
3:25 pm – 3:45 pm Gardena Kendo
3:50 pm – 4:10 pm Gardena Judo Club